Skip to main contentA logo with &quat;the muse&quat; in dark blue text.

Human Resources Generalist

AT The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Human Resources Generalist

Boston, MA

Job Description

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is seeking a Human Resources Generalist (Personnel Officer II) for the Human Resources Department!

AGENCY MISSION:

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is charged with creating more homes in Massachusetts and lowering housing costs for residents.

Formerly known as the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), EOHLC works with municipalities, local housing authorities, non-profit organizations, and development partners to provide affordable housing options, financial assistance, and other support to Massachusetts communities.

OVERVIEW OF ROLE (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):

Want more jobs like this?

Get jobs in Boston, MA delivered to your inbox every week.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.


The Human Resource Department is a customer service unit charged with overseeing and processing all agency personnel activities. Customer Service is an essential function of this position and all communications, oral and/or written are to be delivered in a professional and timely manner with a customer service focus according to all the established Department operating procedures. The Human Resources Department is a small contained operation with success dependent on all staff within the department assuming individual responsibility and working together as a team in the delivery of services. The HR Generalist completes hiring transactions, monitors self-service time and attendance reports. In addition, the incumbent creates and reviews requisitions in MassCareers and reviews resumes and applications for employment in MassCareers; posts jobs to the MassCareers website and enters waivers in the MassCareers system; processes and submits internal posting and hiring paperwork; drafts employment offer letters; monitors completion of performance evaluations for non-managers; and updates agency organizational charts & the Employee Coordination Database.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):

1) Employment & Staffing:

• Maintains and updates the staffing report, organizational charts, prepares job postings/requisitions in MassCareers conducts salary analysis, reviews minimum entrance requirements (MERS), ensures background checks are completed for the Governor's office where necessary, ensures reference checks and CORI checks are done when appropriate, prepares waivers in MassCareers and provides correspondence to applicants around their applications/resumes being received for positions and next step(s) utilizing MassCareers

• Ensures that civil service lists, recall lists, transfer lists, etc. are utilized prior to posting position on the MassCareers System.

• Prepares requisitions from Form 30's and Management Questionnaires (MQs)

• Modifies or adds new positions to organizational charts to reflect new reporting structures ensuring that all personnel changes have been captured. In addition, updates the Employee Coordination Database weekly to reflect personnel changes such as hiring, terminations, voluntary resignations, retirements, interns (paid or unpaid), temporary staff, contractors, etc.

• Reviews resumes & Asset Questions for all job requisitions/postings and identifies candidates that meet the minimum entrance requirements and pushes the candidates forward to the hiring manager at least daily following the HRD Hiring Guidelines and policies related to MassCareers.

• Once the hiring manager determines who they will be interviewing, the HR Generalist reviews those candidate's profiles/resumes to ensure they do in fact meet the MERS and contacts the hiring manager to inform them.

• All personnel actions include a job description (Form 30 or MQ), job postings (if applicable), justifications/scopes of service (if applicable), salary analysis that complies with all union contracts and applicable HRD documents (Red Book, Hiring Guidelines, etc.)

• Notifies Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities employees of jobs posted on MassCareers.

• Sends offer letters to candidates as start dates are identified & requests education verification of highest level listed in candidates' profile in MassCareers and licenses, etc. from candidates prior to hire to ensure all requirements are met and verified prior to start date and are in compliance with the View New Hires Quality Control checks implemented by HRD. Calculates creditable service requests for review and approval by the Senior HR Business Partner.

• Calculates new hire salaries based on comparable years' experience and education as needed.

• Enters new hires and terminations in Employee Coordination Database and ServiceNow so that computer, telephone access, and security badge can be set-up or deactivated with at least 3 business days' notice.

• Submits e-form requests to HRD as needed on reclassifications, Request for Salary Approval, position modifications, etc.

• Coordinates employee transfers with other state agencies.

• Maintains license files for all required positions/personnel at EOHLC and notifies employees at least 30 days prior to license/certification expiration date, to ensure timely receipt of required updated license/certification.

2) Payroll:

• Prepares reports and analyzes Mobius reports; data relating to leaves, payroll and salaries; Participates in annual payroll activities, both calendar and fiscal year end, including Use or Lose notices, processing of the distribution of duplicate W-2s each year, etc. Attends Payroll User Group meetings and informs HR staff and Agency staff about upcoming initiatives.

• Verification forms from Division of Unemployment Assistance are monitored and returned within prescribed time period.

• Calculates and processes retro payments and cash-outs for employees leaving state service and prepares related correspondence.

• All personnel transactions, including but not limited to, new FTE's, contract employees, resignations, reclassifications, retirements, authorized changes in hours, , State Employees Responding as Volunteers Program (SERV), overtime, etc. are processed within the week of receipt to ensure that action is completed within appropriate pay period(s).

• Enters into the Human Resources/Compensation Management System (HR/CMS) new hires, promotions, demotions, transfers, etc. to ensure timely and accurate compensation of assigned agency employees.

• Enters and verifies all deductions into employee's records to ensure proper payment of taxes, insurance premiums, garnishments and other benefits funded through employee deductions.

• Monitors vacation status and adjusts employee job data for "off payroll time" & reviews and monitors salary increases including union/contract increases, step raises, etc. Generates and reviews reports to ensure accuracy of agency payroll.

• Ensures I-9 form and tax forms (federal and state) are on file for every employee.

• Enrolls all new hires in self-service time and attendance (SSTA) with the appropriate reporting type and provides training if needed on how to use/navigate SSTA.

• Checks all time and attendance records in HRCMS and PROACTIVELY works with Mass Employee Service Center (MassESC), employees, supervisors/approvers to eliminate all exceptions and correct any problems (prior to payroll running on Tuesdays).

• Ensures that all forms and documentation (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.) are received in the office within ten (10) days of hire. Reviews MyGIC forms before sending to GIC for processing.

3. Benefits & Leaves:

• Educates employees on the benefits of Flexible Spending Account Options (health care spending, dependent care accounts, and commuter benefits). Ensures that all forms are completed, deductions are entered into HRCMS. Communicates regularly with Benefit Strategies to resolve any issues.

• Coordinates annual open enrollment activities for the Group Insurance Commission

• Advertises Benefits Fairs and/or information sessions and informs employees of deadlines.

• Serves as liaison between all benefits/leave companies and employees.

• Notifies union employee of benefits available through the Union. Ensures that union deductions are entered upon hire and/or changes if union changes.

• Notifies Union Stewards of new hires so orientation can be conducted with the Union.

4. Recruitment & Training:

• In collaboration with the HR Senior Business Partner and the HR Operations & Performance Manager, participates in recruitment activities, monitors performance (EPRS), serves as Agency Learning Administrator (ALA) for MassAchieve, our learning management system and diversity-related reporting activities.

• Generates training and other reports.

• Completes all required training within timeframes.

5. Other duties, as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Proficiency using HRCMS and the Commonwealth Information Warehouse.

2. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Visio.

3. Knowledge of rules and regulations related to personnel and payroll processing.

4. Knowledge of bargaining unit contracts as they pertain to various types of leaves and employee benefits affecting payroll.

5. Knowledge of the policies, procedures, specifications, standards, guidelines, laws, rules and regulations governing Commonwealth of Massachusetts personnel and payroll processing.

6. Knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations governing the State personnel system.

7. Must have a strong customer-service orientation and have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

8. Strong attention to detail and analytical skills.

9. Must have good intuition and display sound judgment.

10. Ability to write concisely, to express thoughts clearly and develop ideas in logical sequence.

11 Ability to work collaboratively, independently and as part of a team.

12. Excellent time management skills, including the ability to prioritize work and adjust to changing priorities.

13. Judgment to recognize when consultation is needed to perform a task or project.

14. Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.

15. Ability to prepare reports in a clear and logical manner.

COMMENTS:

Please upload resume and cover letter.

This position would be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days, as needed.

Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division's Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum entrance requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in personnel work, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions: A Bachelor's degree or higher may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.

Graduate degree with a major in Personnel Management, Personnel Administration or Public Administration may be substituted for the required experience


*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Client-provided location(s): Boston, MA, USA
Job ID: Commonwealth_of_Massachusetts-24000A77
Employment Type: Full Time

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Health Reimbursement Account
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • FSA
    • HSA
    • Mental Health Benefits
  • Parental Benefits

    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Personal/Sick Days
    • Volunteer Time Off
  • Financial and Retirement

    • Pension
    • Financial Counseling
  • Professional Development

    • Promote From Within
    • Mentor Program
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Lunch and Learns
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Associate or Rotational Training Program
  • Diversity and Inclusion

    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program